Focus on water conservation, soil science at upcoming garden expo

Mendocino Greenhouse & Garden Supply is pleased to announce speakers and presentations for the 4th annual Mendocino County Garden Expo, a free, one-day family event in Carl Purdy Hall at The Redwood Empire Fairgrounds in Ukiah on April 26.

Joanna Berg and Sarah Schuette, the Dirty Business Divas will present "Water Wise: Precision Agriculture In a Drought," or "Learn To Rain Dance." The presentation will include making big agriculture sustainable for small farms, DIY soil determination, cutting the liquid fertilizer feeding tube, wicking beds and Hugelkultur.

Joanna and Sarah have Bachelor of Science degrees in Wildland Soil Science, and minors in GIS, Botany and Water Shed Management, and are registered Soil Scientists with the Soil Science Society of America. In 2012 they won the Economic Fuel Business Challenge and shortly after opened Dirty Business Soil Consulting & Analysis.

Regenerative Design Center founder Justin Calvino will host a public conversation titled "Mendopendence: Local Sovereignty and the Need for Community Interdependence." This will be an open discussion about the meaning of interdependence as it relates to Mendocino County's water, food, energy, transportation, education, healthcare, monetary systems and more.

Matt Linderman, president of Santiam Organics, will present "Biology and Benefits of Mycorrhizae - A complete breakdown of the role that mycorrhizae plays in the growth and health of plants." He will cover the different types of mycorrhizae and how each interacts with the root systems of the plants they colonize. From a benefits perspective, he will explain increased growth and yield, as well as mycorrhizae's ability to promote disease resistance. Matt is the son of Dr. Robert Linderman, who is considered to be one of the top researchers in the field of mycorrhizae and soil borne diseases. Mr. Linderman and his family started one of the first commercial mycorrhizal production companies in the country.